New HDTV looks pixelated to me - need opinions please

New TV is Vizio SV470XVT 47" LCD (1080p, 120Hz). TV it replaced was old 35" Sony tube tv. Dish network with old TV and with new TV (upgraded to HD when we got the new TV)

The new TV has excellent color, black, sharpness, etc. However even on HD programs, it can appear pixelated. I sit about 10 feet away, and if you get any closer, especially when a program is paused, the edges of objects look pixelated. Examples: An old friends episode on non HD looked positively poor. An HD program (Timewarp on Discovery) looked very good, but you could still see pixels if you looked close.

I am using an HDMI cable from the Dish network box (722 model).

If this is the way just about any HDTV of the same size will perform, then so be it. What I am wondering is if a Sony Bravia, or Samsung would provide any better picture (specifically from the pixelation point of view only)? I need to decided if I am going to return this within 30 days, but do not want to return and replace it if anything else I get will be just about the same. In side by side viewing at the store, I noticed little difference in "pixelation" on the same size TV, between brands (with the same incoming signal).

I am interested to hear opinions on if other TV's would be better and why?

New TV is Vizio SV470XVT 47" LCD (1080p, 120Hz). TV it replaced was old 35" Sony tube tv. Dish network with old TV and with new TV (upgraded to HD when we got the new TV)

The new TV has excellent color, black, sharpness, etc. However even on HD programs, it can appear pixelated. I sit about 10 feet away, and if you get any closer, especially when a program is paused, the edges of objects look pixelated.

I am using an HDMI cable from the Dish network box (722 model).

If this is the way just about any HDTV of the same size will perform, then so be it. What I am wondering is if a Sony Bravia, or Samsung would provide any better picture (specifically from the pixelation point of view only)? I need to decided if I am going to return this within 30 days, but do not want to return and replace it if anything else I get will be just about the same.

I am interested to hear opinions on if other TV's would be better and why?

I would tend to think it is your service and settings rather than the TV itself. Vizio makes great TV's and you should get an exceptional picture.

1. Make sure your Dish box is set to 1080i.

2. Use a calibration disk like Avia ro DVE to calibrate your TV.

3. Turn the sharpness down to 0.

That should reslove, for the most part the issues you are having unless it is a weak signal then a call to Dish Network would be necessary but the other items mentioned should be done first.

Hope this helps.

__________________It's always time for pieLive everyday as if it was your last and plan on living forever...

I had a couple of issues like this before playing with the settings on my SV420XVT, but don't worry the picture is now crystal clear. Just takes a little tweaking. I acutually called Vizio service because I had another question too and they were suprisingly helpful, so that is a last resort too. Another thing is that a buddy of mine had a Vizio and a Sharp that both had problems with Dish affecting their picture - I don't know the whole story on why, but that could also be a factor.

I would also make sure you change the Dish STB setup to state it is a 16:9 (or widescreen) display instead of a 4:3 (full screen) display. If you had the STB before you got the TV it may be set to the wrong screen type, but worth a check either way.

I made sure Dish network settings were 16:9 and 1080i (both were correct).

I set the sharpness to zero, and made a few other adjustments to cinema mode and smooth motion.

It is marginally better, but still not what I would expect from a brand new HDTV with 1080, 120Hz, and an HD signal. Maybe I should not pause it, or look closer than 4 feet..... Then again, maybe I'm just picky.

I wonder if it si the nature of the Dish signal, with nothing to be done about it..... There are 2 dishes on the roof, which go into the house to the basement, then up the wall to the receiver box via coax. Finally, into the tv via HDMI. I think I will call to see if they can check for a weak signal. I don't know if the coax from the dish to the box is good for an HD signal (not like there is anything to do about that).

How do I know exactly if I have a weak signal? They just installed the HD a few weeks ago, and I would assume have checked all of that.

I made sure Dish network settings were 16:9 and 1080i (both were correct).

I set the sharpness to zero, and made a few other adjustments to cinema mode and smooth motion.

It is marginally better, but still not what I would expect from a brand new HDTV with 1080, 120Hz, and an HD signal. Maybe I should not pause it, or look closer than 4 feet..... Then again, maybe I'm just picky.

I wonder if it si the nature of the Dish signal, with nothing to be done about it..... There are 2 dishes on the roof, which go into the house to the basement, then up the wall to the receiver box via coax. Finally, into the tv via HDMI. I think I will call to see if they can check for a weak signal. I don't know if the coax from the dish to the box is good for an HD signal (not like there is anything to do about that).

How do I know exactly if I have a weak signal? They just installed the HD a few weeks ago, and I would assume have checked all of that.

Do Plasma TV's have the same "pixelation"?

Pausing a interlaced signal can be problematic. Some sources send the same field over and over instead of a matched even odd set of fields.

For the paused test, try the output at 720p. When playing (not paused) the 1080i signal should be superior but for pausing the progressive signal may be superior.

Nope! I can't believe nobody can see it or admit to seeing it. Yes, flat screens television sets, high definition, 1080p, etc, etc, appear PIXELATED around the edges of objects, people, animals or anything that appears on the screen if you really pay attention. If you notice, on the older bulky televisions we do not see that pixelated outline around objects on screen, but (and there is always a but) aside from the pixelated outline you see, there is a clearer definition of the objects on the flat screen sets, but old ones seem to have more of a blur when you get close to them whereas flat screens do not have that blur unless you are right smack in front of it and that is only because your eyes can not focus on something so close. Plus, the flat screen television is not big and bulky in the back. Yay for flat tv!

I can pick any picture apart. What I do is just enjoy it and tell myself it is normal. LOL My problem with LED is with night time Football Games. I see the lights beaming down on field at certain angle. I didn't notice this on Plasma and also the colors are more active on LED which has caused pixilation at times all not enough to get me to go and return it and get another plasma. The same conditions I am talking about are not as pronounced on LCD TV in bedroom which is set to match picture eye test I had on Plasma so the colors are duller. Remember garbage in garbage out still applies to HD. I solved most of pixilation problem by going with native setting on cable box. What I reasoned it to be was 120hz pixilation which I found was normal for box set to 1080i and signal was 720P being converted to 1080i by box then TV converting that signal to 1080p which caused to much converting. I was lucky my cable box had a native setting.